PsychArmor collaborates with Department of Veteran Affairs on Suicide Prevention Training for Caregivers

San Diego, CA–PsychArmor continues to support military and Veteran caregivers with a new course in their caregiver portfolio: VA S.A.V.E. Preventing Caregiver Suicide.  With this 20 minute course, anyone  can discover ways to make a difference in the lives of military and Veteran caregivers–and possibly even S.A.V.E. a life. Created in partnership with the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), the course is available free to all individual learners at www.psycharmor.org. 

Narrated by Melissa Comeau, Director of Military and Veteran Caregiver Network at The American Red Cross, and Dr. Heidi Kraft, Chief Clinical Officer at PsychArmor, the course addresses the issue of caregiver suicide. Learners will develop an understanding of the increased risk for suicide in military and Veteran caregivers, be able to identify the signs of an at-risk Veteran caregiver, and learn the steps to take to help a Veteran caregiver at risk for suicide. The S.A.V.E. model involves watching for Signs, Asking direct questions, Validating experiences, and Expediting help. 

Last November, PsychArmor held a live launch event, sponsored by the USAA Foundation, to raise awareness of suicide risk and prevention in the caregiver community. Panelists included: Justin Schmitt, USAA; Meg Kabat, Department of Veteran Affairs; Aimee Johnson, Department of Veteran Affairs; Steve Schwab, Elizabeth Dole Foundation; and Melissa Comeau, Military Veteran Caregiver Network and American Red Cross. To watch the full recording of the event, click here. 

PsychArmor learners have given great reviews and feedback on the VA S.A.V.E. Preventing Caregiver Suicide course. “The text of the video is timely and beneficial. It brought to my attention that caregivers can also need help,”says one learner,  rating the course a 5 out of 5. Other learners mention how much information they gained in a short period of time.  

PsychArmor is proud of their continued partnership with the Department of Veteran Affairs. VA S.A.V.E Preventing Caregiver Suicide is the second suicide prevention course created by PsychArmor with support from the VA. S.A.V.E is the cornerstone course for suicide prevention and provides a general understanding of the problem of suicide in the Veteran community.  

About PsychArmor 

PsychArmor is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation providing education and support  to individuals and organizations that work with, live with, and care for American service members, Veterans, and their families.  For more information, contact Carole Turner, cturner@psycharmor.org. 

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